"Den som frykter ulven" (Cry in the Woods, 2004) is further evidence that some of the best crime thrillers today come from Scandinavia. Just like the films about Beck or Wallander, Den som frykter ulven, directed by Erich Hörtnagl, could be put in the same category. Although it is a bit different with adding more of chilling elements; nightmares, illusions and hallucinations, that in this case are just as important as painting a picture of the Norwegian policemen in their work.
Once again, we're on the trail of a killer. But this time it's not your standard killer hunt. Lars Bom ("Rejseholdet") plays the danish policeman Karsten working in Norway, although he's now abandoning his wife and kid, and moving back to Denmark. As his last case he gets a tricky one; not only does his personal demons hunt him but he's not exactly popular among his colleagues. Karsten happens to stumble on a bank robbery in progress. The bank robber Morgan (Stig Henrik Hoff, "Brent av frost") thought he was going to execute a perfect score, but unfortunately a hostage tags along. At the same time an elder woman is brutally murdered outside her house. The police suspects an escaped mental patient to be responsible for the killing, mainly because of what has happened in his childhood. The police find it to be a sure thing that the patient is the one they're after (a young boy says he witnessed the murder), it doesn't help that a psychiatrist tries to convince them that the patient Erkki (Kristoffer Joner, "Dark Woods") wouldn't be capable of committing a murder. The problem is that Erkki's personality hints otherwise. The psychiatrist Sara convinces Karsten of Erkki's innocence. The others just won't listen, especially Stefan (Aksel Hennie, "Jonny Vang") who's about to take over from Karsten as he moves to Denmark. What they don't know is that the the murder and robbery will combine, since Erkki is Morgan's hostage...
It's refreshing that it's not your typical "who-did-it"-movie, and the different aspects that are added manage to enliven the story. The only negative thing is the bit slow middle part, but i guess it's necessary for the eventual build-up. And even if the ending doesn't take you totally by surprise, its still is a bold decision. It's not going to change the world in any way, but you will definitely enjoy good entertainment for about 98 minutes.
The one who fears the Wolf, should not go into the Woods...
**** (4 out of 5)
